South Sydney have dramatically claimed the Auckland Nines title, outlasting the Sharks 18-14 in golden try extra time on Sunday night.
The result was finally sealed by a try to comeback “kid” Matt King, who came out of retirement for the NRL season-opening tournament.
Cronulla were desperate for a feel good story after emerging from the wake of the supplements saga.
They were also pretty keen on another trophy.
But the Sharks again walked away empty-handed, ensuring their sole success is the 1979 mid-week AMCO Cup.
The match went into extra-time after scores were locked up 14-all when Jack Bird nailed his drop goal sideline conversion after scoring with seconds left on the clock.
In extra-time the Sharks at one stage rattled off 17 straight tackles and even when Valentine Holmes crossed he was called back for a forward pass.
But the fairytale went to King – not the Sharks – after the 34-year-old ex-Test flyer crashed over for a try nine minutes into extra-time.
The stage was set for Cronulla to exorcise the demons from their 2011 supplements drama.
Sharks’ Nines captain Wade Graham is one of 10 current and former Cronulla players who returned from a backdated suspension in November.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan also returned from a ban just three months ago following the ASADA investigation.
In the wake of the supplements controversy, the Sharks went from 2013 finals threats to 2014 wooden spooners, winning just five games last year.
But the most damage was inflicted off the field to the Sharks image.
The Rabbitohs were expected to dismiss a Sharks outfit that left their stars Ben Barba, Mick Ennis, Andrew Fifita and skipper Paul Gallen at home.
Cronulla also lost stand-in skipper Luke Lewis (knee) before they flew out to New Zealand.
But the Sharks went toe-to-toe with the heavyweights at a damp Eden Park before Bird ensured extra-time drama with his stunning effort.
Cronulla had sounded their giant killing intentions when they silenced the fanatical Eden Park crowd and pipped hot tournament favourites the Warriors 14-12 in their quarter-final.
They then ousted the Sydney Roosters 10-4 in the semi-final.
